SHORT STORIES The Lion and the Mouse

Once when a lion, the king of the jungle, was asleep, a little mouse began running up and down on him. This soon awakened the lion, who placed his huge paw on the mouse, and opened his big jaws to swallow him.

"Pardon, O King!" cried the little mouse. "Forgive me this time. I shall never repeat it and I shall never forget your kindness. And who knows, I may be able to do you a good turn one of these days!”

The lion was so tickled by the idea of the mouse being able to help him that he lifted his paw and let him go.

Sometime later, a few hunters captured the lion, and tied him to a tree. After that they went in search of a wagon, to take him to the zoo.

Just then the little mouse happened to pass by. On seeing the lion’s plight, he ran up to him and gnawed away the ropes that bound him, the king of the jungle.

"Was I not right?" said the little mouse, very happy to help the lion.

MORAL: Small acts of kindness will be rewarded greatly.

The Ant and the Grasshopper

One summer day, in a field, a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great effort an ear of corn he was taking to his nest.

"Why don’t you come and chat with me," asked the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling your life away?"

"I am helping to store up food for the winter," said the Ant, "and I recommend you to do the same."

"Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper. "We have got plenty of food at present."

But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil.

When winter came, the Grasshopper found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing, every day, corn and grain from the stores they had collected in summer.

By age 13, some boys and girls may be ready to babysit. It all depends on how ready and able you are to take on the responsibility of caring for young kids.

Taking a babysitting course is a good first step. You also can start out as a "mother's helper," where you take care of a child (or several kids) while the mom or dad is still at home. That way, you get an idea of what it will be like, but the parent would be there in case you have a question.

If you do decide to babysit, keep your first job short (an hour or two). It's also ideal if you can babysit for a family that lives in your neighborhood, so your mom or dad will be nearby in case you have any problems or an emergency.

When can I get a cell phone?

The answer is when your parents think you need one, though many kids seem to be getting them around age 11 or 12. Some younger kids may have them because their parents see it as an issue of safety and convenience.

For instance, a kid can call or text mom and dad when sports practice is over. And a cell phone can give kids almost instant access to their parents if something goes wrong or they need help. Likewise, it can give parents quick access to their kids so they can check on them and make sure they're OK. Fromm.kidshealth.org.

If you do get a cell phone, work out some rules with your parents. Some plans charge you extra if you send too many texts or talk too long. Also hammer out some other details: When can you use your phone? When must the phone be turned off? And what will you do if someone calls you too often or leaves a mean message for you?

You'll also want to make sure you take care of this new item in your life. Have a routine for keeping it charged and storing it in the same place so it doesn't get lost. And whatever you do, don't use it in the bathroom. We know someone who dropped her phone in the toilet! From m.kidshealth.org.

RIDDLES

Which creature walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening?

He has married many women, but has never been married. Who is he?

What has cities, but no houses; forests, but no trees; and water, but no fish?

What is easy to get into but hard to come out?

What kind of band does not play music?

How do you spell candy in two letters?

Answers

1. Man; he crawls as a baby, walks as an adult, and walks with a cane as an old man. 2. A Catholic Priest 3. A map 4. Trouble 5. Rubber band 6. C and y, it reads candy

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know there are 690 known species of bat?

Did you know the original name of a butterfly was flutterby?

Did you know elephants can run up to 40 km an hour?

Did you know a cow can go upstairs but not downstairs?

Did you know a group of Kangaroos is called a mob?

QUIZ

1. What prominent event took place in Nigeria in 1960?

2. In what year did Nigeria's Southern and Northern protectorates amalgamate?